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Householter memorial dedicated during ceremony

Thu, 05/09/2019 - 1:08pm

In a heartfelt ceremony held at the Concordia High School varsity gym, a memorial was dedicated in honor of the greatest sprinter in CHS track and field history, who gave his life in the service of his country: Terry Householter.
Householter is a legend in the annals of CHS sports. In 1967 he was the state champion in the 100-yard dash, the 220-yard dash, the 440-yard dash, and anchored the state champion 880-yard relay team. Because of the conversion to metric measurements in track competition, Householter will forever own three individual school and NCKL standard records.
Householter's breathtaking speed promised great potential, and he enrolled at Fort Hays State University to further his training. But he dropped out after one semester and enlisted in the Marine Corps at the height of the Vietnam War.
In letters Householter wrote home from Vietnam, he talked about going back to college after his tour of duty was over and resuming his track career.
With less than a month remaining on his combat tour, Householter was killed in action on June 23, 1969. For his bravery on that day, the Marine Corps posthumously awarded him the Bronze Star.
Jane Jewell and John Paul Breault launched a fundraising drive to build a memorial for Householter at the new track and field complex at Harold M. Clark Stadium. Their efforts, and the kindness of donations from hundreds of supporters all across the nation, came to fruition on May 8, 2019, with the dedication of the Terry Householter memorial plaque and benches.
With a Marine Corps Color Guard in attendance, over 200 guests listened to Pastor Bob Burns's invocation, followed by a brief introduction from USD 333 Superintendent Quentin Breese. Recognition was given to the families of two other fallen Vietnam Veterans from Cloud County, Richard Fiffe and Gary Collins, and then Iraq War veteran Jonathan Genereaux read the Marine Corps Citation honoring Householter's bravery and sacrifice. The ceremony closed with a beautiful rendition of 'America' by the CHS Chamber Choir.
Terry Householter passed from this life before the true greatness of his potential could be realized. The memorial at Clark Stadium gives him a permanent place at the track he once elevated to greatness.